Comparing outcomes after transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomy: a 5-year prospective cohort of 17,395 patients

BACKGROUND: Debate continues over whether transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) offers decreased morbidity and mortality compared with transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE). To definitively answer this question, we used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to compare morbidity and mortality after THE and TTE. STUDY DESIGN: Using ICD-9 procedure codes, we queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for patients undergoing THE and TTE. Multivariate statistical analysis was completed to compare morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and hospital volume analysis between the groups. RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2003, 17,395 patients included in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample underwent esophagectomy. Mean patient age was similar in those undergoing THE and TTE (61.9 versus 62.0 years, respectively). Overall morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy were 50.7% and 8.8%, respectively. In-hospital mortality after THE was 8.91% compared with 8.47% after TTE (p=0.642). Multivariate regression analysis showed no difference in the incidence of mediastinitis, wound, infectious, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, systemic, procedure-related, or overall complications or hospital length of stay between the two groups. Controlling additionally for hospital volume showed high-volume centers (more than 10 esophagectomies per year) had significantly lower mortality rates than low-volume centers (10 or fewer esophagectomies per year, p=0.024). Additionally, low-volume centers have a higher incidence of gastrointestinal and systemic complications in the TTE group (p=0.048 and p=0.038, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This large-volume, multicenter study constitutes the largest cohort in the literature to compare outcomes after THE and TTE. These findings indicate the outcomes after THE and TTE for esophageal disease are equivalent, although higher-volume centers will have lower morbidity and mortality.     

Breast cancer surgery in Veterans Affairs and selected university medical centers: results of the patient safety in surgery study

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a common diagnosis. We compare perioperative characteristics and outcomes between male and female patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer and between hospital systems (Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] and private sector [PS]) as part of the Patient Safety in Surgery (PSS) Study. STUDY DESIGN: We performed an analysis of a prospectively collected clinical database. Data collected from 128 VA hospitals and 14 PS academic medical centers as part of the Patient Safety in Surgery Study for fiscal years 2002 through 2004 were used. Analysis included calculation of crude and adjusted odds ratios for morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 3,823 patients were included. Female VA patients at baseline had higher rates of smoking, steroid use, COPD, acute renal failure, dialysis, weight loss > 10%, preoperative chemotherapy, and abnormal laboratory values than female PS patients did. Male patients were older than the female patients in both hospital systems. Mortality rates were very low and similar among groups. All VA patients in this study had substantially longer lengths of stay than the patients in the PS. The unadjusted overall complication rate was 5.21%; the VA female patients experienced an unadjusted complication rate twice that of the PS female patients. When adjusted for confounding variables and differences in preoperative comorbidities, the odds ratio comparing VA with PS females was no longer markedly different (1.404; 95% CI, 0.894, 2.204). CONCLUSIONS: VA patients with breast cancer have higher incidences of most comorbidities than patients in the PS. Differences in complication rates females disappear when adjustment is made for the higher rates of comorbidities in the VA patients.     

Cross-over kidney transplantation with simultaneous laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: initial experience

With cross-over living donor kidney transplantation, immunologic incompatibilities within the original donor/recipient pair can be overcome. As minimal invasive techniques for organ recovery are increasingly applied, this should also be performed in a cross-over kidney transplantation. We present the first report of a successful simultaneous laparoscopic kidney recovery for cross-over kidney transplantation as well as a review of the international practice of cross-over kidney transplantation in the context of national laws. Cross-over kidney transplantation should be encouraged. A databank on pairs willing to participate in organ exchange programs should be created.     

Variation in mesh placement for ventral hernia repair: an opportunity for process improvement?

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia repair (IHR) with mesh has been associated with decreased hernia recurrence. We analyzed variation in mesh use for IHR. METHODS: A cohort undergoing IHR from 16 Veterans' Administration (VA) Hospitals was identified. Patient-specific variables were obtained from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data. Operative variables were obtained from physician-abstracted operative notes. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to model mesh implantation predictors. RESULTS: A total of 1,123 IHR cases were analyzed; Mesh was implanted in 69.6% (n = 781). Regression models demonstrated repair at a high performing facility was associated with a nearly 4-fold increase in mesh utilization. Other significant predictors include repair of recurrent hernia, chronic steroid use, and multiple fascial defects. CONCLUSIONS: There is variation in the rate of mesh placement for IHR by VA facility, even after accounting for key explanatory variables. Patterns of mesh placement in IHR appear to be based on practice style.     

表皮生长因子含量表达与骨折愈合的关系

目的:观察骨折后表皮生长因子含量表达的变化,分析表皮生长因子浓度变化与骨折愈合之间的关系。方法:实验于2003-10在山东大学齐鲁医院动物实验室完成。选用成年雄性家兔30只,以随机数字表法分成骨折固定组、骨折组、创伤组,各10只。骨折固定组制作左第一跖骨骨折模型,然后用管型石膏将左下肢固定;骨折组造模后不给予任何固定;创伤组仅用止血钳在家兔左大腿的中部钳夹1次。在造模前、造模后24,48,96h,2,4周,分别采静脉血,采用放射免疫分析法对家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度进行测定,进行组间、组内对照,观察骨折对家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度变化的影响。并通过X射线检测骨折愈合的情况,对家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度升高是否影响骨折愈合的速度进行评估。结果:所有30只实验动物均纳入实验动物数量分析,无脱失。①骨折固定组与骨折组骨折后24h血清表皮生长因子浓度开始升高[(45.98±3.36),(43.64±3.11)μg/L];到48h达到高峰[(51.02±3.11),(49.31±2.94)μg/L];96h已开始下降[(47.18±5.08),(45.41±4.73)μg/L];2～4周可维持较正常稍高水平[(43.50±3.78),(39.15±4.20)μg/L];4周时接近正常值[(42.26±3.14),(37.64±3.93)μg/L]。②骨折后24,48,96h骨折固定组、骨折组与创伤组家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度差异均有显著性意义(P<0.05);此间骨折固定组和骨折组差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。③X射线检查结果,4周时骨折固定组愈合5例;骨折组愈合2例。6周时骨折固定组愈合8例;骨折组愈合5例。结论:骨折可导致家兔血清表皮生长因子浓度的升高,高表皮生长因子浓度可能有利于骨折的愈合。